Scientists in Queensland believe they're now closer to answering one of the world's intriguing questions -- why some people are more susceptible to mosquito bites than others. It appears it has a lot to do with a person's genes and scientists are now determining exactly which ones.

---------Compere: Tony JonesReporter: Kerri Ritchie

KERRI RITCHIE: Scientists in Brisbane believe they have the answer to an age-old question -- why mosquitos like some of us more than others.

PROFESSOR BRIAN KAY, MOSQUITO CONTROL LAB: We know that some people complain when they have a mozzie buzzing 50m from them, others can can get bitten at a barbie and have 10 or 15 mozzies on their legs, and they'll cop it sweet.

KERRI RITCHIE: Scientists at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research say a person's genetic make-up determines if they're susceptible to mosquito bites.

PROFESSOR NICK MARTIN, GENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY LAB: Just as we know that genetic factors are important in hair colour, or in eye colour, or in how tall you are, what we've shown is that genetic factors are also important in how badly you are affected by mosquitos.

KERRI RITCHIE: Scientists studied 500 sets of twins and found mosquitos had bitten identical twins -- who have identical genes -- the same number of times.

They compared this with non-identical twins -- who share 50 per cent of their gene make-up -- who were bitten at a completely different ratio.

The next step is to determine exactly which genes increase people's susceptibility to mosquito bites.

This will enable scientists to develop more effective methods of keeping the insects away.

It's hoped further research will help scientists develop vaccines to control mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, Ross River virus and dengue fever.